﻿Ephedrine trial resumes in two weeks’ time

WINDHOEK: The continuation of the trial of two non-Namibian women who were arrested in December 2012 for possession of illicit drugs, will resume in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court here in two weeks’ time.

The continuation of the trial is scheduled to resume in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court along Luderitz Street before presiding Magistrate Ingrid Lerato Unengu on 18 May this year (2015).

The two women – Zimbabwean national Priscilla Masa, 26, and 38-year-old Sisa Heather Buthelezi from South Africa – made another appearance in the same court on Wednesday (today) when their case was postponed to 18 May this year for the continuation of the trial.

This was done as per agreement reached between Public Prosecutor Georgitte Kathja Losper and the two accused women’s defence lawyer Vetumbuavi Uanivi in court today.

The two accused women have already denied the charges levelled against them when they entered pleas of ‘not guilty’ at the start of their trail on 14 February 2014.

They had entered their ‘not guilty’ pleas in the presence of their defence lawyer Uanivi.

The duo is each charged with illegally dealing in prohibited dangerous substances, the illegal importing of prohibited drugs into Namibia, and the illegal possession of prohibited drugs.

The substance found in their possession has been identified as Ephedrine Schedule IV, used to manufacture cold and flu medicines and other varieties of medicines.

It is reported that drug dealers also use this substance to make illicit drugs such as ‘Tik’ (crystal methamphetamine), Mandrax and Ecstasy.

Masa is still being held in police custody at the Wanaheda Police Station in Katutura while Buthelezi was in the past months transfered from the Wanaheda Police Station to Dordabis, because Wanaheda Police’s holding cells are reported to be overcrowded.

The two women were again today remanded in police custody with no option of posting bail.

(edited)WINDHOEK: The continuation of the trial of two foreign women who were arrested in December 2012 for possession of illicit drugs will resume in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in two weeks’ time.

The continuation of the trial is scheduled to resume before presiding Magistrate Ingrid Lerato Unengu on 18 May 2015.

The two women – Zimbabwean national Priscilla Masa, 26, and 38-year-old Sisa Heather Buthelezi from South Africa – made another appearance in the same court on Wednesday when their case was postponed, as per agreement reached between Public Prosecutor Georgitte Kathja Losper and the two accused women’s defence lawyer Vetumbuavi Uanivi.

The two accused women have already denied the charges levelled against them when they entered pleas of not guilty at the start of their trail on 14 February 2014 in the presence of their defence lawyer Uanivi.

The duo is each charged with illegally dealing in prohibited dangerous substances, the illegal importing of prohibited drugs into Namibia, and the illegal possession of prohibited drugs.

The substance found in their possession has been identified as Ephedrine Schedule IV, used to manufacture cold and flu medicines and other varieties of medicines.

It is reported that drug dealers also use this substance to make illicit drugs such as ‘Tik’ (crystal methamphetamine), Mandrax and Ecstasy.

Masa is still being held in police custody at the Wanaheda Police Station in Katutura while Buthelezi was in the past months transferred from the Wanaheda Police Station to Dordabis because the Wanaheda Police’s holding cells are reportedly overcrowded.

The two women were again today remanded in police custody with no option of posting bail.